TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
[LETTERHEAD OF TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION]
April 10, 2008
Dear Stockholder:
I am pleased to invite you to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Tri-County
Financial Corporation (the Company) to be held in the Board Room at the main office of Community
Bank of Tri-County, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.
The attached notice and proxy statement describe the formal business to be transacted at the
annual meeting. Directors and officers of the Company as well as a representative of the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm, Stegman & Company, will be present to respond to any
questions stockholders may have.
Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. On behalf of the Board of
Directors, I urge you to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible, even if
you currently plan to attend the annual meeting. This will not prevent you from voting in person,
but will assure that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend the annual meeting.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ Michael L. Middleton
Michael L. Middleton
President and Chief Executive Officer
TRI-COUNTY
FINANCIAL CORPORATION
3035 LEONARDTOWN ROAD
WALDORF, MARYLAND 20601
(301) 645-5601
NOTICE OF 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
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TIME AND DATE
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10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2008 |
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PLACE
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Board Room |
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Community Bank of Tri-County |
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3035 Leonardtown Road |
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Waldorf, Maryland 20601 |
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ITEMS OF BUSINESS
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(1) To elect three directors to serve for a term of three years. |
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(2) To ratify the appointment of Stegman & Company as the independent
registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2008. |
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(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or
postponement thereof. |
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RECORD DATE
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To vote, you must have been a stockholder at the close of business on March 17, 2008. |
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PROXY VOTING
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It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. You can vote your shares by
completing and signing the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card sent to you. Voting
instructions are printed on your proxy or voting instruction card and included in the accompanying proxy
statement. You can revoke a proxy at any time before its exercise at the meeting by following the
instructions in the proxy statement. |
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/s/ Gregory C. Cockerham |
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Gregory C. Cockerham |
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Secretary |
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April 10, 2008 |
Important: The prompt return of proxies will save the Company the expense of further requests for
proxies to ensure a quorum. A self-addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience. No
postage is required if mailed in the United States.
PROXY STATEMENT
OF
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
3035 LEONARDTOWN ROAD
WALDORF, MARYLAND 20601
(301) 645-5601
GENERAL INFORMATION
We are providing this proxy statement to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Board of Directors of Tri-County Financial Corporation for the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders
and for any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. In this proxy statement, we may also refer
to Tri-County Financial Corporation as Tri-County Financial, the Company, we, our or us.
Tri-County Financial is the holding company for Community Bank of Tri-County. In this proxy
statement, we may also refer to Community Bank of Tri-County as the Bank.
We are holding the 2008 annual meeting in the Board Room, at the main office of the Bank, 3035
Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., local time.
We intend to mail this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card to stockholders of record
beginning on or about April 10, 2008.
INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Who Can Vote at the Meeting. You are entitled to vote the shares of Tri-County Financial common
stock that you owned as of the close of business on March 17, 2008. As of the close of business on
March 17, 2008, a total of 2,961,074 shares of Company common stock were outstanding. Each share of
common stock has one vote.
Ownership of Shares; Attending the Meeting. You may own shares of Tri-County Financial in one of
the following ways:
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Directly in your name as the stockholder of record; |
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Indirectly through a broker, bank or other holder of record in street name; or |
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Indirectly in the Community Bank of Tri-County Employee Stock Ownership Plan. |
If your shares are registered directly in your name, you are the holder of record of these shares
and we are sending these proxy materials directly to you. As the holder of record, you have the
right to give your proxy directly to us or to vote in person at the meeting.
If you hold your shares in street name, your broker, bank or other holder of record is sending
these proxy materials to you. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker,
bank or other holder of record how to vote by filling out a voting instruction form that
accompanies your proxy materials. Your broker, bank or other holder of record may allow you to
provide voting instructions by telephone or by the Internet. Please see the instruction form
provided by your broker, bank or other holder of record that accompanies this proxy statement. If
you hold your shares in street name, you will need proof of ownership to be admitted to the
meeting. A recent brokerage statement or letter from a bank or broker are examples of proof of
ownership. If you want to vote your shares of Tri-County Financial common stock
held in street name in person at the meeting, you must obtain a written proxy in your name from the
broker, bank or other nominee who is the record holder of your shares.
Quorum. We will have a quorum and will be able to conduct the business of the annual meeting if
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote are
represented at the meeting.
Votes Required for Proposals. At this years annual meeting, stockholders will elect three
directors to serve for a term of three years. In voting on the election of directors, you may vote
in favor of the nominees, withhold votes as to all nominees or withhold votes as to specific
nominees. There is no cumulative voting for the election of directors. Directors must be elected
by an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast at the annual meeting.
In voting on the ratification of the appointment of Stegman & Company as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm, you may vote in favor of the proposal, vote against the proposal
or abstain from voting. This proposal will be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares cast at the annual meeting.
Routine and Non-Routine Proposals. The rules of the New York Stock Exchange determine whether
proposals presented at stockholder meetings are routine or non-routine. If a proposal is routine,
a broker or other entity holding shares for an owner in street name may vote for the proposal
without receiving voting instructions from the owner. If a proposal is non-routine, the broker or
other entity may vote on the proposal only if the owner has provided voting instructions. A broker
non-vote occurs when a broker or other entity is unable to vote on a particular proposal and has
not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.
How We Count Votes. If you return valid proxy instructions or attend the meeting in person, we
will count your shares to determine whether there is a quorum, even if you abstain from voting.
Broker non-votes also will be counted to determine the existence of a quorum.
In the election of directors, votes that are withheld will have the same effect as a negative vote.
Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election.
In counting votes on the proposal to ratify the selection of the independent registered public
firm, we will not count abstentions and broker non-votes as votes cast on the proposal. Therefore,
abstentions and broker non-votes will have no impact on the outcome of the proposal.
Voting by Proxy. This proxy statement is being sent to you by the Board of Directors of Tri-County
Financial to request that you allow your shares of Tri-County Financial common stock to be
represented at the annual meeting by the persons named in the enclosed proxy card. All shares of
Tri-County Financial common stock represented at the meeting by properly executed, dated proxies
will be voted according to the instructions indicated on the proxy card. If you sign, date and
return a proxy card without giving voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by
the Companys Board of Directors. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of
the nominees for director and FOR ratification of the appointment of Stegman & Company as the
independent registered public accounting firm.
If any matters not described in this proxy statement are properly presented at the annual meeting,
the persons named in the proxy card will use their judgment to determine how to vote your shares.
This includes a motion to adjourn or postpone the meeting to solicit additional proxies. If the
annual meeting is postponed or adjourned, your Tri-County Financial common stock may also be voted
by the persons
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named in the proxy card on the new meeting date, unless you have revoked your proxy. The Company
does not know of any other matters to be presented at the annual meeting.
Stockholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any time. Unless so revoked,
the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at the annual meeting and all adjournments
thereof. Proxies may be revoked by written notice delivered in person or mailed to the Secretary
of the Company, by delivering a later-dated proxy or by attending the annual meeting and voting in
person. The presence of a stockholder at the annual meeting will not in and of itself revoke such
stockholders proxy.
Participants in the Banks ESOP. If you participate in the Community Bank of Tri-County Employee
Stock Ownership Plan, you will receive a voting instruction card that reflects all shares you may
direct the trustees to vote on your behalf under the plan. Under the terms of the employee stock
ownership plan, all allocated shares of Tri-County Financial held by the plan are voted by the
trustees, as directed by plan participants. All unallocated shares of Company common stock held by
the plan and allocated shares for which no voting instructions are received are voted by the
trustees in the same proportion as shares for which the trustees have received timely voting
instructions. The deadline for returning your voting instructions to the ESOP trustees is May 2,
2008.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Director Independence. The Company currently consists of nine members, all of whom are independent
under the listing requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market, except for C. Marie Brown, who was an
employee of the Company and the Bank until February 8, 2008, H. Beaman Smith, who was an employee
of the Company and the Bank until January 22, 2007 and Michael L. Middleton, who is currently an
employee of the Company and the Bank. Because the Company is traded on the OTC Electronic Bulletin
Board, there is no independence requirement for the Companys directors. However, the Company
chooses to apply the current listing requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market. In determining the
independence of its directors, the Board considered transactions, relationships and arrangements
between the Company and its directors that are not required to be disclosed in this proxy statement
under the heading Relationships and Transactions with the Company and the Bank, including: (1)
legal services performed by the Jenkins Law Firm, LLC, in which Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. is a
principal; (2) engineering services performed by D. H. Steffens Company, in which Herbert N.
Redmond, Jr. is a Vice President; and (3) loans or lines of credit that the Bank has directly or
indirectly made to each of the directors on the Board.
Committees of the Board of Directors. The following table identifies the members of the Boards
Audit and Governance Committees as of December 31, 2007. All members of each committee are
independent in accordance with the listing requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market, except for Mr.
Smith. Each committee operates under a written charter that is approved by the Board of Directors
that governs its composition, responsibilities and operation. Each committee reviews and
reassesses the adequacy on its charter at least annually. The charters of the two committees are
available in the Shareholder Information portion of the About Us section of the Companys Web
site (www.cbtc.com).
3
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Audit |
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Governance |
Director | |
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Committee |
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C. Marie Brown |
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Philip T. Goldstein
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X |
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Louis P. Jenkins, Jr.
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X |
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Michael L. Middleton |
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Herbert N. Redmond, Jr.
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X |
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X |
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James R. Shepherd
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X |
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X |
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Austin J. Slater, Jr.
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X |
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H. Beaman Smith
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X |
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Joseph V. Stone, Jr.
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X |
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Number of Meetings in 2007
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8 |
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3 |
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Audit Committee. The Companys Audit Committee engages the Companys independent auditors and
meets with them in connection with their annual audit and reviews the Companys accounting and
financial reporting policies and practices. The Board of Directors has determined that the Audit
Committee does not have a member who is an audit committee financial expert as defined under the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the Board recognizes that
no individual Board member meets the qualifications required of an audit committee financial
expert, the Board believes that appointment of a new director to the Board and to the Audit
Committee at this time is not necessary as the level of financial knowledge and experience of the
current members of the Audit Committee, including the ability to read and understand fundamental
financial statements, is cumulatively sufficient to discharge adequately the Audit Committees
responsibilities.
Governance Committee. The Company does not have a separate compensation committee. However, the
Governance Committee approves the compensation objectives for the Company and the Bank and
establishes the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and other executives. The role of
management in the Companys compensation decisions is limited to that of an information resource.
Decisions by the Governance Committee with respect to the compensation of executive officers are
approved by the full Board of Directors.
Director Nomination Process. The Governance Committee also selects nominees for election as
directors. In its deliberations, the Governance Committee considers a candidates knowledge of the
banking business and involvement in community, business and civic affairs, and also considers
whether the candidate would adequately represent the Companys market area. Any nominee for
director made by the Governance Committee must be highly qualified with regard to some or all the
attributes listed in the preceding sentence. In searching for qualified director candidates to
fill vacancies on the Board, the Governance Committee solicits its current directors for the names
of potential qualified candidates. The Governance Committee may also ask its directors to pursue
their business contacts for the names of potentially qualified candidates. The Governance
Committee would then consider the potential pool of director candidates, select the top candidates
based on the candidates qualifications and the Governance Committees needs, and conduct a
thorough investigation of each proposed candidates background to ensure there is no past history
that would cause the candidate not to be qualified to serve as a director of the Company. If a
stockholder has submitted a proposed nominee in accordance with the procedures
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specified below, the Governance Committee would consider the proposed nominee, along with any other
proposed nominees recommended by individual directors, in the same manner in which the Governance
Committee would evaluate nominees for director recommended by the Board of Directors.
Consideration of Recommendations by Stockholders. The Governance Committee will consider
recommendations for directorships submitted by stockholders. Stockholders who wish the Governance
Committee to consider their recommendations for nominees for director should submit their
recommendations in writing to the Governance Committee in care of the Secretary, Tri-County
Financial Corporation, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601. Each written recommendation
must set forth (1) the name of the recommended candidate, (2) the number of shares of stock of the
Company that are beneficially owned by the stockholder making the recommendation and by the
recommended candidate, and (3) a detailed statement explaining why the stockholder believes the
recommended candidate should be nominated for election as a director. In addition, the stockholder
making such recommendation must promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the
Governance Committee. To be considered by the Governance Committee for nomination for election at
an annual meeting of stockholders, the recommendation must be received by the January
1st preceding that annual meeting. Recommendations by stockholders that are made in
accordance with these procedures will receive the same consideration given to other candidates
recommended by directors or executive management.
Board and Committee Meetings. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Board of Directors of
the Company held 9 meetings and the Board of Directors of the Bank held 15 meetings. No director
attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and Board committees on which
they served in 2007.
Director Attendance at Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Company does not have a policy
regarding Board member attendance at annual meetings of stockholders. All of the Companys
directors attended the Companys 2007 annual meeting of stockholders.
Code of Ethics. Tri-County Financial has adopted a Code of Ethics that is designed to ensure that
the Companys directors and employees meet the highest standards of ethical conduct. The Code of
Ethics, which applies to all employees and directors, addresses conflicts of interest, the
treatment of confidential information, general employee conduct and compliance with applicable
laws, rules and regulations. In addition, the Code of Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and
promote honest and ethical conduct, the avoidance of conflicts of interest, full and accurate
disclosure and compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Under the terms of the
Code of Ethics, violations of the Code of Ethics are required to be reported to the Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors. A copy of the Code of Ethics has been filed as an exhibit to the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K.
5
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table provides the compensation received by individuals who served as
non-employee directors of the Company during the 2007 fiscal year.
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Non-qualified |
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Deferred |
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Fees Earned or |
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Option |
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Compensation |
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Paid in Cash ($) |
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Awards ($) (1) |
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Earnings ($) (2) |
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Total ($) |
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Philip T. Goldstein |
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27,175 |
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$ |
6,073 |
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$ |
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33,248 |
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Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. |
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27,350 |
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27,350 |
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Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. |
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27,450 |
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6,235 |
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33,685 |
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James R. Shepherd |
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28,025 |
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28,025 |
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Austin J. Slater, Jr. |
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29,625 |
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29,625 |
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H. Beaman Smith |
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27,975 |
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2,348 |
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30,323 |
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Joseph V. Stone, Jr. |
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28,325 |
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6,073 |
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2,555 |
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36,953 |
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(1) |
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Reflects the compensation expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in
accordance with FAS 123(R) for outstanding stock option awards for Messrs. Goldstein and
Stone. The grant date fair value was $12.14 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with
the following assumptions: dividend yield 1.32%; expected volatility 31.95%; risk-free
interest rate 5.05%; and expected lives 10 years. The actual value, if any, realized by
a director from any option will depend on the extent to which the market value of the common
stock exceeds the exercise price of the option on the date the option is exercised.
Accordingly, there is no assurance that the value realized by a director will be at or near
the value estimated above. |
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As of December 31, 2007, each non-employee director had the following number of stock options
outstanding: |
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Stock Options |
Name |
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Outstanding |
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Philip T. Goldstein |
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500 |
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Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. |
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18,055 |
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Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. |
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29,925 |
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James R. Shepherd |
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13,893 |
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Austin J. Slater, Jr. |
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15,412 |
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H. Beaman Smith |
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27,912 |
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Joseph V. Stone, Jr. |
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500 |
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(2) |
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Represents the portion of non-qualified deferred compensation earnings under the Community
Bank of Tri-County Retirement Plan for Directors that were above market. Under the plan,
interest is credited at a rate equal to the Companys return on equity, which was 12.79% for
2007. |
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Cash Retainer and Meeting Fees for Directors. The following tables set forth the applicable
retainers and fees that will be paid to directors for their service on the Board of Directors of
the Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank during 2008.
Board of Directors of Tri-County Financial:
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Annual Retainer
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$11,500 |
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Fee per Board Meeting (Regular or Special)
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$600 ($225 per
telephone meeting)
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Fee per Committee Meeting
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$325 ($225 per
telephone meeting)
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Additional Fee per Audit Committee Meeting for Chairman of
Audit Committee
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$100 |
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Board of Directors of the Bank:
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Annual Retainer
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$3,500 |
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Fee per Board Meeting (Regular or Special)
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$650 ($225 per telephone
meeting)
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Fee per Committee Meeting
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$425 ($225 per telephone
meeting)
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If more than one meeting of the Bank, the Company or any committee is held on any given day, the
aggregate fees cannot exceed $1,400 per day. Employee directors receive only the annual retainer
and Board meeting fees; they do not receive fees for committee meetings.
Directors Retirement Plan. The Bank maintains a retirement plan for members of the Board of
Directors of the Bank (the Directors Plan). Under the Directors Plan, each non-employee
director of the Bank will receive an annual retirement benefit for ten years following his
termination of service on the Banks Board in an amount equal to the product of his Benefit
Percentage, his Vested Percentage, and $3,500. A participants Benefit Percentage is 0% for
less than five years of service, 331/3% for five to nine years of service,
662/3% for 10 to 14 years of service, and 100% for 15 or more years of
service. A participants Vested Percentage equals 331/3% if the
participant was serving on the Board on January 1, 1995 (the Effective Date), increases to
662/3% if the participant completes one year of service after the Effective
Date, and becomes 100% if the participant completes a second year of service after the Effective
Date. If a participant terminates service on the Board due to disability, the Bank will pay the
participant each year for ten years an amount equal to the product of his Benefit Percentage and
$3,500. If a participant dies before collecting either his or her retirement or disability
benefit, the participants surviving spouse, or estate, will receive a lump sum payment having a
present value equal to five times the annual retirement benefit to which the participant was
entitled assuming the participant separated service on the date of death and had a Vested
Percentage of 100%. If the participant dies after beginning to receive his or her retirement or
disability benefits, the participants surviving spouse, or estate, will receive a lump sum payment
having a present value equal to the remaining benefits to which the participant was entitled from
the date of death through the fifth annual payment thereafter. A participants vested percentage
will also become 100% in the event of a change in control (as defined in the Directors Plan).
The Directors Plan also establishes a deferred compensation program for participants, under which
they may elect to defer all or any portion of the fees and/or salary otherwise payable. Deferred
amounts will be credited annually with a rate of return equal to the Companys return on equity for
the calendar year, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles.
7
AUDIT RELATED MATTERS
Report of the Audit Committee. The Companys management is responsible for the Companys internal
controls and financial reporting process. The Companys independent registered public accounting
firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Companys consolidated financial
statements and issuing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with generally
accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee oversees the Companys internal controls and
financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.
In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the
independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit Committee that
the Companys consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial
statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit
Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114 (Communication With Those Charged With
Governance), including the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the
reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of the disclosures in the financial
statements.
In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the
independent registered public accounting firm required by the Independence Standards Board Standard
No. 1 (Independence Discussions With Audit Committees) and has discussed with the independent
registered public accounting firm the firms independence from the Company and its management. In
concluding that the registered public accounting firm is independent, the Audit Committee
considered, among other factors, whether the non-audit services provided by the firm were
compatible with its independence.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys independent registered public accounting firm the
overall scope and plans for its audit. The Audit Committee meets with the independent registered
public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of its
examination, its evaluation of the Companys internal controls, and the overall quality of the
Companys financial reporting.
In performing all of these functions, the Audit Committee acts only in an oversight capacity. In
its oversight role, the Audit Committee relies on the work and assurances of the Companys
management, which has the primary responsibility for financial statements and reports, and of the
independent registered public accounting firm that, in its report, expresses an opinion on the
conformity of the Companys financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles. The
Audit Committees oversight does not provide it with an independent basis to determine that
management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or policies, or
appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting
standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committees considerations
and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm do not assure
that the Companys financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, that the audit of the Companys financial statements has been carried out in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or that the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm is independent.
8
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited consolidated financial
statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2007 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee also has
approved, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. (Chair)
James R. Shepherd
Austin J. Slater, Jr.
Joseph V. Stone, Jr.
Audit Fees. The following table sets forth the fees billed to the Company by Stegman & Company for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
71,183 |
|
|
$ |
68,942 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees (1) |
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
|
10,250 |
|
All Other Fees (2) |
|
|
3,958 |
|
|
|
3,749 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consists of tax filing and tax-related compliance and other advisory services.
|
(2) |
|
Consists of presentation at directors retreat. |
Pre-Approval of Services by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit
Committees charter provides that the Audit Committee will approve in advance any non-audit service
permitted by the Securities Exchange Act, including tax services, that its independent registered
public accounting firm renders to the Company, unless such prior approval may be waived because of
permitted exceptions under the Securities Exchange Act, including but not limited to the 5% de
minimis exception. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more members of the Audit Committee
the authority to grant pre-approvals for auditing and allowable non-auditing services, which
decision shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting for
ratification. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Audit Committee approved 100% of
all audit-related, tax and other fees.
9
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
The following table sets forth, as of March 17, 2008, certain information as to those persons known
by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the Companys outstanding shares of common stock
and as to the shares of common stock beneficially owned by each director, each executive officer
named in the summary compensation table and by all executive officers and directors of the Company
as a group. All beneficial owners listed in the table have the same address as the Company.
Unless otherwise indicated, each of the named individuals has sole voting power and sole investment
power with respect to the shares shown.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Number of Shares That May |
|
Percent of Shares of |
Name of |
|
Owned (Excluding |
|
be Acquired within 60 Days by |
|
Common Stock |
Beneficial Owners |
|
Options) (1) |
|
Exercising Options |
|
Outstanding (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Marie Brown |
|
|
124,170 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.19 |
% |
Gregory C. Cockerham |
|
|
64,452 |
|
|
|
49,024 |
|
|
|
3.77 |
|
Philip T. Goldstein |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. |
|
|
3,712 |
|
|
|
18,056 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael L. Middleton |
|
|
279,198 |
(4) |
|
|
74,966 |
|
|
|
11.67 |
|
Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. |
|
|
9,246 |
|
|
|
29,925 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
James R. Shepherd |
|
|
3,343 |
|
|
|
13,893 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Austin J. Slater, Jr. |
|
|
8,837 |
|
|
|
15,412 |
|
|
|
* |
|
H. Beaman Smith |
|
|
104,027 |
(5) |
|
|
26,325 |
|
|
|
4.36 |
|
Joseph V. Stone, Jr. |
|
|
18,000 |
(6) |
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Directors,
Executive Officers and
Nominees as a Group
(13 persons) |
|
|
625,589 |
|
|
|
274,318 |
|
|
|
27.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community Bank of
Tri-County Employee
Stock Ownership
Plan(7) |
|
|
196,841 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.36 |
|
|
|
|
* Less than 1% of the shares outstanding |
(1) |
|
Includes shares allocated to the account of the individuals under the Community Bank of
TriCounty Employee Stock Ownership Plan, with respect to which the individual has voting but
not investment power as follows: Ms. Brown27,404 shares; Mr. Cockerham24,837 shares; and
Mr. Middleton39,211 shares. |
(2) |
|
Based upon 2,961,074 shares of Company common stock outstanding, plus, for each individual or
group, the number of shares of Company common stock that each individual or group may acquire
through the exercise of options within 60 days of March 17, 2008. |
(3) |
|
Includes 27,000 shares owned by Ms. Browns husband. |
(4) |
|
Includes 69,351 shares owned by Mr. Middletons wife and 4,402 shares owned by the individual
retirement account of Mr. Middletons wife. |
(5) |
|
Includes 18,165 shares owned by Mr. Smiths wife. |
(6) |
|
Includes 2,000 shares owned by the individual retirement account of Mr. Stones wife. |
(7) |
|
Includes 15,194 shares held in a suspense account for future allocation and/or distribution
among participants as the loan used to purchase the shares is repaid. The ESOP trustees,
which are Messrs. Jenkins and Redmond, vote all allocated shares in accordance with the
instructions of the participating employees. Unallocated shares and shares for which no
instructions have been received are voted by the trustees in the same proportion as shares for
which the trustees have received timely voting instructions. |
10
ITEMS TO BE VOTED ON BY STOCKHOLDERS
Item 1 Election of Directors.
Tri-County Financials Board of Directors currently consists of nine members. The Board is divided
into three classes, each with terms of three years, one-third of whom are elected annually. The
Board of Directors has nominated Philip T. Goldstein, James R. Shepherd and H. Beaman Smith to
serve for an additional three-year term, until their successors are elected and qualified. All of
the nominees are currently directors of the Company and the Bank.
It is intended that the persons named in the proxies solicited by the Board will vote for the
election of the named nominees. If any nominee is unable to serve, the shares represented by all
valid proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee as the Board of Directors
may recommend. At this time, the Board knows of no reason why any nominee might be unable to
serve.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of all of the nominees.
Information regarding the nominees and the directors continuing in office is provided below.
Unless otherwise stated, each individual has held his or her current occupation for the last five
years. The age indicated in each biography is as of December 31, 2007. There are no family
relationships among the directors or executive officers. The indicated period for service as a
director includes service as a director of Community Bank of Tri-County.
Board Nominees for Terms Ending in 2011
Philip T. Goldstein has owned and operated Philip T. Goldstein Real Estate Appraisals, a
full-service real estate appraisal and consulting firm, located in Prince Frederick, Maryland,
since 1975. He currently serves as a director of the following organizations: Asbury Communities,
Inc., a non-profit continuing care retirement community headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland;
Calvert County Nursing Center, Prince Frederick, Maryland; Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park &
Museum, St. Leonard, Maryland; and Calvert Farmland Trust, Prince Frederick, Maryland. Age 59.
Director since 2006.
James R. Shepherd is the Business Development Specialist for the Calvert County Department of
Economic Development. From 1971 to 1994, Mr. Shepherd was a business owner in Calvert County. Mr.
Shepherd holds an MS degree in Management from the University of Maryland and a BA from Roanoke
College. Mr. Shepherd serves in numerous civic and charitable organizations. Age 62. Director
since 2003.
H. Beaman Smith is the President of Accoware, a computer software company, and Vice President of
Fry Plumbing Company of Washington, D.C. Mr. Smith holds a Masters Degree and BS from the
University of Maryland. Mr. Smith is a director of the Maryland 4-H Foundation. Age 62. Director
since 1986.
Directors with Terms Ending in 2009
Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. is the President of D. H. Steffens Company. Mr. Redmond has been
associated with the company since 1959 and deals in all aspects of the surveying and land
development process, including working with the client and approval agencies. He is a licensed
Maryland Professional Land Surveyor who has served as President of the Maryland Society of
Surveyors as well as the Chairman of the Ethics Committee. He was selected as Surveyor of the Year
in 1992. He is a member of the Maryland Society of Surveyors, the American Congress on Surveying
and Mapping, the American Planning Association and the Urban Land Institute. He currently serves
as a Director of the Maryland Society of Surveyors Education Trust. Age 67. Director since 1997.
11
Austin J. Slater, Jr. has served as the President and CEO of the Southern Maryland Electric
Cooperative, which is one of the ten largest electrical distribution cooperatives in the country,
since December 2002. From January 2000 to December 2002, Mr. Slater served as Vice President of
the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Mr. Slater also serves as Vice Chairman of
the Board of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and numerous other civic organizations. Mr. Slater
holds an MBA in Finance from George Washington University and a BS in Accounting from Shepherd
University. Age 54. Director since 2003.
Joseph V. Stone, Jr. has owned and operated Joe Stone Insurance Agency, which provides multi-line
insurance services to clients in Maryland and Virginia, since 1981. He has served as a director
for the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative since 1996 and currently serves as Vice-Chairman of
the Board. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Cedar Lanes Apartments, St. Marys
Home for the Elderly. Age 53. Director since 2006.
Directors with Terms Ending in 2010
C. Marie Brown was associated with the Bank for over 35 years and served as its Chief Operating
Officer before her retirement in February 2008. Ms. Brown is an alumna of Charles County Community
College with an Associates of Arts degree in Management Development. She is a supporter of the
Handicapped and Retarded Citizens of Charles County, a member of the Zonta Club of Charles County
and serves on various administrative committees of the Hughesville Baptist Church. Age 65.
Director since 1991.
Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. is the principal of Jenkins Law Firm, LLC, located in LaPlata, Maryland.
Before entering private practice, Mr. Jenkins served as an Assistant States Attorney in Charles
County, Maryland from 1997 to 1999. In addition to his private practice, Mr. Jenkins serves as
Court Auditor for the Circuit Court for Charles County, Maryland. Mr. Jenkins currently serves on
the Board of Directors of Civista Hospital and has previously served as a board member of several
other public service organizations including the Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red
Cross, Charles County Chamber of Commerce and the Charles County Bar Association. Age 36.
Director since 2000.
Michael L. Middleton is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. Mr.
Middleton joined the Bank in 1973 and served in various management positions until 1979 when he
became President of the Bank. Mr. Middleton is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Masters
of Business Administration. From January 1996 to December 2004, Mr. Middleton served on the Board
of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, serving as Chairman of the Board from
January 2004 to December 2004. He also served as its Board Representative to the Council of
Federal Home Loan Banks. Mr. Middleton has served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve
Bank, Baltimore Branch, since January 2004. He also serves on several philanthropic and civic
boards. He is a trustee for the College of Southern Maryland and Chairman of the Board of the
Energetics Technology Corporation. Age 60. Director since 1979.
Item 2 Ratification of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Stegman & Company, which was the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for 2007,
has been retained by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to be the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for 2008, subject to ratification by the Companys stockholders.
A representative of Stegman & Company is expected to be present at the annual meeting and will have
the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond
to appropriate questions.
12
If the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm is not
approved by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders at the annual meeting, the Audit Committee
will consider other independent registered public accounting firms.
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment
of Stegman & Company as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table. The following information provides information concerning total
compensation earned or paid to the Chief Executive Officer and the two most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company who served in such capacity as of December 31, 2007. These three
officers are referred to as the named executive officers in this proxy statement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-qualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option |
|
Compensation |
|
All Other |
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
Bonus ($)(1) |
|
Awards ($)(2) |
|
Earnings ($)(3) |
|
Compensation ($)(4) |
|
Total ($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael L. Middleton |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
282,500 |
|
|
$ |
88,332 |
|
|
$ |
70,805 |
|
|
$ |
18,541 |
|
|
$ |
72,792 |
|
|
$ |
532,970 |
|
President and Chief Executive |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
265,000 |
|
|
|
82,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,794 |
|
|
|
71,769 |
|
|
|
432,063 |
|
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Marie Brown |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
198,500 |
|
|
$ |
98,067 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
18,444 |
|
|
$ |
48,908 |
|
|
$ |
363,919 |
|
Executive Vice President and |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
185,500 |
|
|
|
43,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,720 |
|
|
|
62,933 |
|
|
|
304,903 |
|
Chief
Operating Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory C. Cockerham |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
195,500 |
|
|
$ |
45,713 |
|
|
$ |
53,523 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
27,941 |
|
|
$ |
322,677 |
|
Executive Vice President and |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
182,850 |
|
|
|
43,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,844 |
|
|
|
262,819 |
|
Chief
Lending Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents bonuses paid pursuant to the Banks Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the
Incentive Plan), under which the Bank establishes a bonus pool equal to 14% of net income
after taxes (but before deduction of bonuses payable under the Incentive Plan) multiplied by a
multiplier equal to the average of: (i) the percentage obtained when the Companys return
on equity (ROE) is divided by the median ROE of a peer group comprised of commercial banks
in the fifth Federal Reserve district; (ii) the percentage obtained when the median percentage
of noncurrent to gross loans of the peer group is divided by the percentage of the Banks
noncurrent to gross loans; and (iii) the percentage increase in the Companys
earnings-per-share from the previous year (EPS Increase) divided by the targeted EPS
Increase for the year established by the Board. In no event will the third component exceed
150%, and it will be deemed to be 0% if the percentage, as so computed, is less than 50%. The
multiplier shall not exceed 1.0. The bonus pool is allocated among officers in proportion to
the ratio a designated percentage of their base salary (the Allocation Base) bears to the
total Allocation Bases of all participating officers. The total bonus pool allocated to an
individual will be paid either in cash or stock options. The total amount of cash to be paid
is limited by the Board of Directors on an employee by employee basis. Any amount not paid in
cash is paid in the form of stock options valued using the same method as for the Companys
financial statements. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts represent the compensation expense recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes in accordance with FAS 123(R) for outstanding stock option awards for each of the
named executive officers. The grant date fair value for options granted in 2007 was $12.14
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: dividend yield
1.32%; expected volatility 31.95%; risk-free interest rate 5.05%; and expected lives
10 years. The actual value, if any, realized by an executive officer from any option will
depend on the extent to which the market value of the common stock exceeds the exercise price
of the option on the date the option is exercised. Accordingly, there is no assurance that
the value realized by an executive officer will be at or near the value estimated above. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents the portion of non-qualified deferred compensation earnings under the Community
Bank of Tri-County Retirement Plan for Directors that were above market. Under the plan,
interest is credited at a rate equal to the Companys return on equity, which was 12.79% for
2007. |
(footnotes continued on following page)
13
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Details of the amounts reported in the All Other Compensation column for 2007 are provided
in the table below. The table excludes perquisites, which did not exceed $10,000 in the
aggregate for each named executive officer. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item |
|
Mr. Middleton |
|
Ms. Brown |
|
Mr. Cockerham |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors fees |
|
$ |
24,350 |
|
|
$ |
24,350 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Market value of allocations under
the employee stock ownership plan |
|
|
6,996 |
|
|
|
5,490 |
|
|
|
5,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employer contribution to 401(k) Plan |
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Imputed income under split-dollar
life insurance arrangement |
|
|
32,075 |
|
|
|
10,009 |
|
|
|
13,605 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reimbursement of payroll taxes for
supplemental retirement benefits |
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
174 |
|
Employment Agreements. Tri-County Financial and Community Bank of Tri-County maintain employment
agreements with each of the named executive officers. Mr. Middletons employment agreement was
entered into effective September 6, 2006 and had an initial term of five years. Each day, the term
of the agreement is automatically extended by one day so that the term remains at five years.
Under the agreement, Mr. Middleton will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Among
other things, the agreement provides for an annual salary, for participation in an equitable manner
in any stock option plan or incentive plan to the extent authorized by the Banks Board of
Directors for its key management employees and for participation in pension, group life insurance,
medical coverage and in other employee benefits applicable to executive personnel.
The employee agreements with Ms. Brown and Mr. Cockerham were entered into on April 20, 2007 and
had an initial term of three years. Each day, the term of the agreement is automatically extended
by one day so that the term remains at three years. Under the agreements, Ms. Brown will serve as
the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Cockerham will serve as Executive
Officer and Chief Lending Officer. Among other things, the agreements provide for an annual
salary, for participation in an equitable manner in any stock option plan or incentive plan to the
extent authorized by the Banks Board of Directors for its key management employees and for
participation in pension, group life insurance, medical coverage and in other employee benefits
applicable to executive personnel.
See Retirement Benefits and Other Potential Post-Termination Benefits for a discussion of
benefits and payments the named executive officers may receive under the employment agreements upon
their retirement or termination of their employment.
14
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End. The following table provides information concerning
unexercised options for each of the named executive officers outstanding as of December 31, 2007,
adjusted for the three-for-two stock split effected on November 27, 2006.
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Option Awards |
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Number |
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|
|
|
|
|
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of |
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Number of |
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|
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|
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Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
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Underlying |
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Underlying |
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Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
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|
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|
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael L. Middleton |
|
|
5,830 |
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|
|
|
|
|
$ |
27.70 |
|
|
|
07/17/2017 |
|
|
|
|
6,036 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.29 |
|
|
|
12/19/2015 |
|
|
|
|
20,164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.89 |
|
|
|
12/27/2014 |
|
|
|
|
14,286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.74 |
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|
|
12/31/2013 |
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|
|
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6,412 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
11.56 |
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|
|
12/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
11,812 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
7.85 |
|
|
|
12/31/2011 |
|
|
|
|
6,976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.91 |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 |
|
|
|
|
6,750 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88 |
|
|
|
12/31/2009 |
|
|
|
|
5,301 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
7.20 |
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12/31/2008 |
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C. Marie Brown |
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5,555 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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22.29 |
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|
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12/19/2015 |
|
|
|
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11,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.89 |
|
|
|
12/27/2014 |
|
|
|
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8,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.74 |
|
|
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12/31/2013 |
|
|
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3,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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11.55 |
|
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12/31/2012 |
|
|
|
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8,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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7.85 |
|
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12/31/2011 |
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3,705 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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7.91 |
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12/31/2010 |
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|
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3,375 |
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|
|
|
|
|
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7.88 |
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12/31/2009 |
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13,314 |
|
|
|
|
|
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7.20 |
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12/31/2008 |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
Gregory C. Cockerham |
|
|
4,407 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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27.70 |
|
|
|
12/31/2017 |
|
|
|
|
5,476 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.29 |
|
|
|
12/19/2015 |
|
|
|
|
10,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.89 |
|
|
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12/27/2014 |
|
|
|
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7,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.74 |
|
|
|
12/31/2013 |
|
|
|
|
3,037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55 |
|
|
|
12/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
6,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.85 |
|
|
|
12/31/2011 |
|
|
|
|
3,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.91 |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 |
|
|
|
|
3,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88 |
|
|
|
12/31/2009 |
|
|
|
|
4,254 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.20 |
|
|
|
12/31/2008 |
|
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Bank maintains salary continuation agreements with the named executive officers to provide the
executives with additional compensation at retirement or upon termination of employment due to
death, disability or a change in control. Mr. Middleton, Ms. Brown and Mr. Cockerham are entitled
to an annual benefit for a period of 15 years of $128,048, $43,524 and $4,800, respectively, upon
normal retirement at or after age 62 for Mr. Middleton and 65 for Ms. Brown and Mr. Cockerham. A
reduced benefit is payable if the executive retires before normal retirement age. The annual
benefits are payable on a monthly basis to the executives or their designated beneficiaries.
Benefits payable under the salary continuation agreements are reduced by any benefits paid under
the executives split-dollar life insurance agreements.
Under the Directors Plan, Mr. Middleton and Ms. Brown will receive an annual retirement benefit
for ten years following his or her termination of service on the Banks Board in an amount equal to
the product of his or her Benefit Percentage, his or her Vested Percentage, and $3,500.
15
The Bank maintains an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan under which Mr. Middleton and Ms. Brown
may defer all or any portion of their base salary. Deferred amounts will be credited annually with
interest at a rate equal to the Companys return on equity for the calendar year. The executives
account balance under the plan will be distributed to the executive following the executives
termination of service in either a lump sum or over a period of one to five years, as elected by
the executive.
OTHER POTENTIAL POST-TERMINATION BENEFITS
Payments Made Upon Termination with Cause. Each of Mr. Middletons, Ms. Browns and Mr.
Cockerhams employment agreements contains a narrow definition of cause for which the executives
employment may be terminated. If the executives employment is terminated for cause, he or she
will receive his or her base salary or other compensation earned through the date of termination
and retain the rights to any vested benefits subject to the terms of the plan or agreement under
which those benefits are provided.
Under the 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, if an executive is terminated for just cause (as
defined in the plan), any stock option granted under the plan and held by the terminated employee
is cancelled upon the date of termination.
Payments Made Upon Termination Without Cause. Under their employment agreements, if either Ms.
Brown or Mr. Cockerham is terminated without cause, he or she would receive a lump sum payment
equal to two times his or her base salary and most recent annual incentive compensation payment.
We would also continue the executives medical, dental and life insurance benefits for a period of
thirty-six months.
Payments Made Upon Termination by Executive with Good Reason. If Mr. Middleton voluntarily
terminates his employment under circumstances that would constitute good reason (as defined in his
employment agreement), he will be entitled to: (1) his base salary or other compensation earned
through the date of termination, a pro rata share of the average bonus or other cash compensation
for the three years preceding the termination and retain the rights to any vested benefits subject
to the terms of the plan or agreement under which those benefits are provided; and (2) a lump sum
payment equal to his base salary and five times his most recent annual incentive compensation
payment. We would also continue Mr. Middletons medical, dental and life insurance benefits for a
period of sixty months.
Payments Made Upon Disability. Under Mr. Middletons employment agreement, if he becomes disabled
and his employment is terminated, he will be entitled to receive his base salary or other
compensation earned through the date of termination and retain the rights to any vested benefits
subject to the terms of the plan or agreement under which those benefits are provided. In
addition, Mr. Middleton will be entitled to disability pay equal to 100% of his base salary in
effect at the date of termination. He would continue to receive disability payments until the
earlier of: (1) 180 days after his termination of employment; (2) the date on which long-term
disability insurance benefits are first paid to Mr. Middleton; (3) his death; or (4) the date his
employment agreement would have terminated had his employment not terminated because of disability.
If the disability benefits terminate because 180 days have lapsed or because the date his
employment agreement would have terminated had his employment not terminated because of disability
is reached, Mr. Middleton will receive disability pay equal to 60% of his base salary during an
additional period ending on the earliest of: (1) the date on which long-term disability insurance
benefits are first paid to Mr. Middleton; (2) his death; or (3) the date his employment agreement
would have terminated had his employment not terminated because of disability. While receiving
benefits under any long-term disability insurance plan, the Company will supplement any disability
benefits received by Mr. Middleton to ensure that the aggregate amount received by Mr. Middleton
equals 60% of his base salary. Mr. Middleton would continue to participate in our benefit plans
until the date his employment agreement would have terminated had his employment not terminated
because of disability.
16
Under Ms. Browns and Mr. Cockerhams employment agreements, if an executive is terminated due to
disability, as defined in the Agreements, the executive will be entitled to the compensation and
benefits provided for under the agreement for (1) any period during the term of the agreement and
before the establishment of the executives disability; or (2) any period of disability before the
executives termination of employment due to disability.
Under the Directors Plan, if a participant terminates service on the Board due to disability, the
Bank will pay the participant each year for ten years an amount equal to the product of his Benefit
Percentage and $3,500.
Under the salary continuation agreements, upon termination of employment of the executives before
age 65 (62 in the case of Mr. Middleton), Mr. Middleton, Ms. Brown and Mr. Cockerham are entitled
to an annual benefit for a period of 15 years of $128,048, $43,524 and $4,800, respectively,
commencing with the month following the executive attaining age 65.
Under the 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, if an executive is terminated due to a disability,
outstanding stock options will vest and remain exercisable until the earlier of one year from the
date of termination or the expiration date of the stock options.
Payments Made Upon Death. Under Mr. Middletons employment agreement, upon Mr. Middletons death,
Mr. Middletons beneficiary is entitled to any base salary compensation earned through the date of
death, plus any other compensation or benefits to be provided in accordance with the terms and
provisions of the Companys benefit plans and programs.
Under Ms. Browns and Mr. Cockerhams employment agreements, upon the executives death, the
Company will pay his or her beneficiary or estate any compensation due to the executive through the
end of the month in which death occurred, plus any other compensation or benefits to be provided in
accordance with the terms and provisions of the Companys benefit plans and programs.
Under their salary continuation agreements, if the executive dies while in active service with the
Bank, Mr. Middletons, Ms. Browns and Mr. Cockerhams designated beneficiaries are entitled to an
annual benefit for a period of 15 years of $128,048, $43,524 and $4,800, respectively. If the
executive dies after employment was terminated but before payments under the agreement has
commenced, their designated beneficiary will be entitled to the same payments beginning on the
first day of the month after the executives death.
Under the Directors Plan, if a participant dies before collecting either his or her retirement or
disability benefit, the participants surviving spouse, or estate, will receive a lump sum payment
having a present value equal to five times the annual retirement benefit to which the participant
was entitled assuming the participant separated service on the date of death and had a Vested
Percentage of 100%. If the participant dies after beginning to receive his or her retirement or
disability benefits, the participants surviving spouse, or estate, will receive a lump sum payment
having a present value equal to the remaining benefits to which the participant was entitled from
the date of death through the fifth annual payment thereafter.
Under the 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, if an executive dies, outstanding stock options
will vest and remain exercisable until the earlier of two years from the date of death or the
expiration date of the stock options.
Payments Made Upon a Change in Control. Mr. Middletons employment agreement provides that if
during the two-year period following a change in control (as defined in the agreement), Mr.
Middleton terminates employment for any reason, he will be entitled to: (1) his base salary or
other compensation earned through the date of termination, a pro rata share of the average bonus or
other cash compensation
17
for the three years preceding the termination and retain the rights to any vested benefits subject
to the terms of the plan or agreement under which those benefits are provided; and (2) a lump sum
payment equal to his base salary and five times his most recent annual incentive compensation
payment. We would also continue the executives medical, dental and life insurance benefits for a
period of sixty months. Mr. Middleton would also be entitled to these payments and benefits if Mr.
Middletons employment is terminated due to death or disability and either (1) such termination
occurs within one year after a change in control; or (2) such termination occurred within one year
after a preliminary change in control (as defined in the agreement) and a change in control occurs
within two years after such termination. Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code provides that
payments related to a change in control that equal or exceed three times the individuals base
amount (defined as average annual taxable compensation over the five preceding calendar years)
constitute excess parachute payments. Individuals who receive excess parachute payments are
subject to a 20% excise tax on the amount that exceeds the base amount, and the employer may not
deduct such amounts. Mr. Middletons employment agreement provides for an additional tax
indemnification payment if payments under the agreement exceed three times his base amount (280G
Limit). The indemnification payment provides the executive with a net amount sufficient to pay
the excise tax.
Ms. Browns and Mr. Cockerhams employment agreements provide that if (1) the executives
employment is terminated without cause or without the executives consent and for a reason other
than cause in connection with or within twelve months after a change in control (as defined in the
agreement); or (2) the executive voluntary terminates employment within twelve months following a
change in control upon the occurrence of events described in the agreement, he or she will be
entitled to a lump sum payment equal to two times his or her annual base salary and most recent
annual incentive compensation payment, plus continued health and welfare benefits for thirty-six
months following termination. Ms. Browns and Mr. Cockerhams employment agreements provide that
if the value of the benefits provided in connection with a change in control exceed his or her 280G
Limit, his or her payment will be reduced or revised so that the aggregate payments do not exceed
his or her 280G Limit.
Under the salary continuation agreements, upon the termination of employment within twelve months
(twenty-four months in the case of Mr. Middleton) and before age 65 (62 in the case of Mr.
Middleton), Mr. Middleton, Ms. Brown and Mr. Cockerham are entitled to an annual benefit for a
period of 15 years of $128,048, $43,524 and $4,800, respectively, commencing with the month
following the executive attaining age 65. Mr. Middletons salary continuation agreement provides
for an additional tax indemnification payment if payments under the agreement exceed his 280G
Limit. The indemnification payment provides the executive with a net amount sufficient to pay the
excise tax. Ms. Browns and Mr. Cockerhams salary continuation agreements provide that if the
value of the benefits provided in connection with a change in control exceed his or her 280G Limit,
his or her payment will be reduced or revised so that the aggregate payments do not exceed his or
her 280G Limit.
In the event of a change in control of Tri-County Financial or Community Bank of Tri-County,
outstanding stock options granted pursuant to our 1995 Stock Option and Incentive automatically
vest and, unless otherwise provided for by the committee administering the plan, the option holder
will receive in cash an amount equal to the difference between the fair market price of the
securities and the exercise price of the option for each option held. Under our 2006 Equity
Incentive Plan, a change in control accelerates the vesting of all outstanding stock options. The
value of the accelerated options count toward the executives 280G Limit.
18
OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance. Pursuant to regulations promulgated under
the Securities Exchange Act, the Companys officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of
the outstanding common stock are required to file reports detailing their ownership and changes of
ownership in such common stock, and to furnish the Company with copies of all such reports. Based
solely on its review of the copies of such reports received during the past fiscal year or with
respect to the last fiscal year or written representations from such persons that no annual reports
of changes in beneficial ownership were required, the Company believes that during 2007, all of its
officers, directors and all of its stockholders owning in excess of 10% of the outstanding common
stock of the Company have complied with the reporting requirements.
Policies and Procedures for Approval of Related Persons Transactions. We maintain a Policy and
Procedures Governing Related Person Transactions, which is a written policy and set of procedures
for the review and approval or ratification of transactions involving related persons. Under the
policy, related persons consist of directors, director nominees, executive officers, persons or
entities known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of any outstanding class
of the voting securities of the Company, or immediate family members or certain affiliated entities
of any of the foregoing persons.
Transactions covered by the policy consist of any financial transaction, arrangement or
relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which:
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the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $50,000 in any
calendar year; |
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the Company is, will, or may be expected to be a participant; and |
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any related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. |
The policy excludes certain transactions, including:
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any compensation paid to an executive officer of the Company if the Governance
Committee of the Board approved (or recommended that the Board approve) such
compensation; |
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any compensation paid to a director of the Company if the Board or an authorized
committee of the Board approved such compensation; and |
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any transaction with a related person involving consumer and investor financial
products and services provided in the ordinary course of the Companys business and on
substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable services
provided to unrelated third parties or to the Companys employees on a broad basis
(and, in the case of loans, in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). |
Related person transactions will be approved or ratified by the Audit Committee. In determining
whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, the Audit Committee will consider all
relevant factors, including:
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whether the terms of the proposed transaction are at least as favorable to the
Company as those that might be achieved with an unaffiliated third party; |
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the size of the transaction and the amount of consideration payable to the related
person; |
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the nature of the interest of the related person; |
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whether the transaction may involve a conflict of interest; and |
19
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whether the transaction involves the provision of goods and services to the Company
that are available from unaffiliated third parties. |
A member of the Audit Committee who has an interest in the transaction will abstain from voting on
approval of the transaction, but may, if so requested by the chair of the Audit Committee,
participate in some or all of the discussion.
Relationships and Transactions with the Company and the Bank. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
generally prohibits loans by the Company to its executive officers and directors. However, the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act contains a specific exemption from such prohibition for loans by the Bank to its
executive officers and directors in compliance with federal banking regulations. Federal
regulations require that all loans or extensions of credit to executive officers and directors of
insured financial institutions must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other
persons and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable
features. The Bank is therefore prohibited from making any new loans or extensions of credit to
executive officers and directors at different rates or terms than those offered to the general
public. Notwithstanding this rule, federal regulations permit the Bank to make loans to executive
officers and directors at reduced interest rates if the loan is made under a benefit program
generally available to all other employees and does not give preference to any executive officer or
director over any other employee, although the Bank does not currently have such a program in
place.
In accordance with banking regulations, the Board of Directors reviews all loans made to a director
or executive officer in an amount that, when aggregated with the amount of all other loans to such
person and his or her related interests, exceed the greater of $25,000, or 5% of the Companys
capital and surplus (up to a maximum of $500,000) and such loan must be approved in advance by a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS
To be eligible for inclusion in the Companys proxy materials for next years annual meeting of
stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take action at such meeting must be received at the
Companys main office at 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601 no later than December 12,
2008. If next years annual meeting is held on a date more than 30 calendar days from May 12,
2009, a stockholder proposal must be received by a reasonable time before the Company begins to
print and mail its proxy solicitation materials. Any stockholder proposals will be subject to the
requirements of the proxy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Stockholder proposals, other than those submitted above and nominations must be submitted in
writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage pre-paid, to the Secretary
of the Company not fewer than 30 days nor more than 60 days before any such meeting; provided,
however, that if notice or public disclosure of the meeting is given fewer than 40 days before the
meeting, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed to the Secretary of the Company not later
than the close of the 10th day following the day on which notice of the meeting was
mailed to stockholders.
20
BOARD POLICIES REGARDING COMMUNICATIONS
WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors maintains a process for stockholders to communicate with the Board of
Directors. Stockholders wishing to communicate with the Board of Directors should send any
communication to the Secretary, Tri-County Financial Corporation, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf,
Maryland 20601. Any communication must state the number of shares beneficially owned by the
stockholder making the communication. The Secretary will forward such communication to the full
Board of Directors or to any individual director or directors to whom the communication is
addressed unless the communication is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly
inappropriate, in which case the Secretary has the authority to discard the communication or take
appropriate legal action regarding the communication.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Company will pay the cost of this proxy solicitation. The Company will reimburse brokerage
firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in
sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the common stock. In addition to conducting
solicitations by mail, directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies
personally or by telegraph or telephone without additional compensation.
The Companys 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders, including financial statements, accompanies this
proxy statement. Such Annual Report is not to be treated as a part of the proxy solicitation
material nor as having been incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission will be furnished without charge to stockholders as of March 17, 2008, upon
written request to the Secretary, Tri-County Financial Corporation, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf,
Maryland 20601.
21
REVOCABLE PROXY
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 12, 2008
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. and Joseph V. Stone, Jr. with full powers
of substitution in each, to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned to vote all shares of
common stock of Tri-County Financial Corporation (the Company) that the undersigned is entitled
to vote at the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders to be held in the Board Room at the main office
of Community Bank of Tri-County, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland on Monday, May 12, 2008
at 10:00 a.m. (the Annual Meeting) and at any and all adjournments thereof, as follows:
Should the undersigned be present and elect to vote at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment
thereof and after notification to the Secretary of the Company at the Annual Meeting of the
stockholders decision to terminate this proxy, then the power of said attorneys and proxies shall
be deemed terminated and of no further force and effect.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES AND THE PROPOSAL LISTED. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT SUCH ANNUAL
MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS PROXY AS DIRECTED BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS. AT THE PRESENT TIME THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED
AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. THIS PROXY ALSO CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY ON THE PROXY HOLDERS TO
VOTE WITH RESPECT TO APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PRIOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, THE
ELECTION OF ANY PERSON AS DIRECTOR WHERE THE NOMINEE IS UNABLE TO SERVE OR FOR GOOD CAUSE WILL NOT
SERVE, AND MATTERS INCIDENT TO THE CONDUCT OF THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING.
Continued, and to be signed and dated, on reverse side.
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DETACH PROXY CARD HERE
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x
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o
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Mark, Sign, Date and Return
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Votes must be indicated |
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Proxy Card Promptly Using the
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(x) in Black or Blue ink. |
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Enclosed Envelope |
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The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees and the listed proposal:
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FOR all nominees o
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote o
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*EXCEPTIONS o
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listed below
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for all nominees listed below |
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Philip T. Goldstein, James R. Shepherd and H. Beaman Smith
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the Exceptions box
and write that nominees name in the space provided below.)
2. |
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THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF STEGMAN & COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008 |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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The undersigned
acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the
execution of this proxy of Notice of the Annual
Meeting, a Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and
the Companys 2007 Annual Report.
Please sign exactly as your name appears on the
enclosed card. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your
full title. If shares are held jointly, each holder
should sign.
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Date
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Share Owner sign here
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Co-Owner sign here |
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[Please Print on Tri-County Financial Corporation Letterhead]
Dear ESOP Participant:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am forwarding to you the attached vote authorization
form to convey your voting instructions to Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. and Louis P. Jenkins, Jr.,
Trustees for the Community Bank of Tri-County Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (the ESOP),
on the proposals presented at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tri-County Financial
Corporation (the Company) on May 12, 2008. Also enclosed is a Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy
Statement for the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders and a Tri-County Financial Corporation
2007 Annual Report to Stockholders.
As an ESOP participant, you are entitled to instruct the ESOP Trustees how to vote the shares
of Company common stock allocated to your ESOP account as of March 17, 2008, the record date for
the Annual Meeting.
The Trustees will vote all allocated shares of Company common stock as directed by ESOP
participants. The Trustees will vote unallocated shares of common stock held in the ESOP Trust and
the shares for which timely instructions are not received in a manner calculated to most accurately
reflect the instructions received from ESOP participants.
To direct the ESOP Trustees how to vote the shares of common stock allocated to your ESOP
account, please complete and sign the enclosed vote authorization form and return it to the
attention of Christy Lombardi at the address indicated on the vote authorization form no later than
May 2, 2008.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ Michael L. Middleton
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Michael L. Middleton |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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VOTE AUTHORIZATION FORM
COMMUNITY BANK OF TRI-COUNTY
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 12, 2008
With respect to all shares of common stock of Tri-County Financial Corporation (the Company)
that are allocated to the account of the undersigned pursuant to the Community Bank of Tri-County
Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (the ESOP), the undersigned hereby directs Herbert N.
Redmond, Jr. and Louis P. Jenkins, Jr., as Trustees of the Trust established under the ESOP, to
vote such shares at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting), to be held at the Community
Bank of Tri-County, Waldorf, Maryland, on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., local time, and at
any and all adjournments thereof as follows:
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the each of the nominees and the listed proposal.
You are to vote my shares as follows:
x PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
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FOR all nominees o
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote o
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*EXCEPTIONS o
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listed below
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for all nominees listed below |
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Philip T. Goldstein, James R. Shepherd and H. Beaman Smith
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the Exceptions box
and write that nominees name in the space provided below).
2. |
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THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF STEGMAN & COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008 |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the execution of this vote
authorization form of the Notice of Annual Meeting, a Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and
the Companys 2007 Annual Report.
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PARTICIPANTS NAME
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Dated: , 2008
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SIGNATURE OF PARTICIPANT
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Please complete this direction form, sign, date and return it to the Company, Attn: Christy
Lombardi,
at 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601 by May 2, 2008.